Abstract:
Outdoor recreationists are prone to choose places with eye-catching sceneries, and
landscape with special characteristics as their recreation’s activity location. Since outdoor
recreational activities occur in natural environment, such activities can cause significant
harm to the environment if not managed properly. The study examined perceptions on
the negative environmental impact of recreational activities of visitors and staff at
National Park in Central Kenya Region. The descriptive survey research design was used
and the target population comprised of both the park visitors and the park staff (KWS and
KFS). Stratified sampling was used to ensure that the target population was well
represented. Daily visitors' register was used to select at least 50% of the park visitors. At
an average, Mt Kenya National Park had approximately 16000 visitors per year
translating to 44 visitors per day. Then 50% of the entry routes to Mt Kenya were
selected. Aberdares National Park had approximately 40000 visitors per year translating
to 111 visitors per day. The study utilized purposive census method to generate a total
sample(n=lS5). Subsequently, stratified random sampling was used to ensure that 50% of
the park gates from Nyeri and Nyahururu routes were represented. A questionnaire was
me main instrument used for the data collection. Data obtained was coded and analyzed
using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The data were gathered
from two categories of respondents: 145 parks staff and 118 parks visitors. Majority of
the respondents were male159 (60.5%) and female 98(37.3%), and most of the
respondents were in the age category of 36-55 years 109(41.4%), while a proportion of
park visitors 66(55.9%) had visited the park more than once. Hypotheses were tested
using Independent T- test. Both the staff and the visitors indicated Hiking/climbing/
safari walk 215(83.7%) as the most preferred recreation activity. On the perception of the
recreation activity that negatively affect the environment, the two groups are significantly
different, except in cycling/Mt biking/Game drive visitors (2=1.67, SD =0.83) while staff
x=2.34, SD =0.85). Further, Hiking/climbing! safari walk ranked as an activity with the
highest negative environmental effect by 168(65.6%) of the respondents. On perception
of effect of recreation activities on environment resource attributes, the two groups were
significantly different except in Wildlife (t=0.28, df=240, p<O.I4). In order to minimize
recreation impact and improve quality of visitors experience a range of direct
management practices, strategies and techniques such as; proactive planning and change
of design of recreation facilities construction and maintenance among others should be
applied to limit negative effects Further research should be done on each of the parks
environmental resource attribute.
